System and method for creating and displaying map projections related to real-time images

ABSTRACT

There is provided a method and system for creating and displaying a map projection of a device&#39;s real-time viewing area to depict virtual objects, the virtual objects providing a reflected view of real-time objects displayed within the device&#39;s viewing area, the method comprising: displaying a real-time image of the device&#39;s viewing area taken from a geographical location on a display; retrieving the map projection for revealing the reflected view as an elevated view of a ground surface about the device&#39;s current geographical location and in accordance with the device&#39;s viewing area; superimposing the map projection on the display and overlaid in an upper portion of the real-time image; and defining one or more markers configured to show a relationship between the map projection and the real-time image, each marker overlaid on the display and configured to connect between the virtual object in the map projection and the corresponding real-time object on the real-time image.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 12/699,545, filed Feb. 3, 2010 the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to an interactive visual presentation of a mapprojection on a user interface. Specifically, the application relates toa system and method for displaying a map projection on a user interfacefor depicting a reflected view of real-time objects displayed within auser/device's viewing area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, there exists many navigation systems that provide informationabout a user's surroundings and geographical information. Some GPSnavigation systems appear as an animated 2D image on a specific devicesuch as a BlackBerry®, iPhone®, cell phone or a specific GPS device suchas Garmin®. These 2D systems are designed to provide navigationinformation on an animated street map view. The GPS systems can providea street view, a satellite view and a hybrid view of a map. However, itcan be distracting for a user to view their surroundings while lookingat a secondary device. It can also be disorienting for a user to try torelate the animated map view to the real world images seen by the userand attempt navigation at the same time. As well, these GPSdevices/applications provide a limited amount of information about theuser's surroundings. For example, they may provide an animated streetmap view, a compass, and directional information to navigate the user toa desired location.

There are also some 3D GPS systems that provide a limited amount ofnavigation information on windshields of vehicles or airplanes. Suchnavigation systems referred to as heads up displays, project basicdirectional information for guiding a user regarding their currentlocation and/or destination location. For example, in one case a virtualcable line is projected on a windshield to show the direction which theuser should navigate on the highway. Alternatively, a 3D compass isprojected onto the window of a fighter plane to show the currentposition, altitude and bearing of the plane to allow a pilot to knowwhich direction they are facing.

Generally, augmented reality (AR) is a term for a live view of aphysical real-world environment whose elements are merged with virtualcomputer-generated imagery—creating a mixed reality. Thecomputer-generated images are displayed as a layer over a user's view ofthe physical world. With this extra information presented to the user,the physical world can be enhanced or augmented beyond the user's normalexperience. AR systems are also now in everyday use on mobile devices,such as iPhone® and BlackBerry® devices, where the device's screen isused to show merged live video from its camera with virtual elementsplaced on the display. Navigation using Augmented Reality methodstypically is done using annotations and text descriptions on the livescene to provide information about the physical world. However, thisapproach occludes the live scene and provides a limited amount ofinformation about the physical world. Further, it is difficult for auser to relate the virtual imagery to the physical world.

Accordingly, the existing GPS systems present limited amount ofinformation about a user's surroundings and present difficulties for auser to navigate to a desired location while referring to and tryingcorrelate an animated map view on a GPS device screen to the real-world.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect there is provided a navigation system thatprovides correlation between real-world images and virtual map imagesand allows improved navigation. The virtual map images include forexample, virtual aerial and/or satellite imagery, raster or vector mapimages. According to the present aspect, the navigation system displaysa map projection comprising a reflected virtual view of real-timeobjects seen within a user/device's viewing area to aid in navigationand improve understanding of the current surroundings.

According to one aspect there is provided a method for creating anddisplaying a map projection of a device's real-time viewing area todepict virtual objects providing a reflected view of real-time objectswithin the device's viewing area, the method comprising: displaying areal-time image of the device's viewing area taken from a geographicallocation on a display; retrieving the map projection for revealing thereflected view as an elevated view of a ground surface about thedevice's current geographical location and in accordance with thedevice's viewing area; superimposing the map projection on the displayin an upper portion of the real-time image; and defining one or moremarkers configured to show a relationship between the map projection andthe real-time image, each marker overlaid on the display and configuredto connect between the virtual object in the map projection and thecorresponding real-time object on the real-time image. According to oneaspect, the map projection includes aerial and/or satellite imagery, araster or a vector map projection.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided amethod and system for transforming the map projection. The mapprojection displays a reflected view of real-time objects in thereal-time plane. The map projection is transformed to a surface havingone of a parabolic curve surface, an arcuate surface, a flat surface, anangled planar surface, a surface of revolution curve, a surface shiftedrelative to the real-time objects displayed, a surface having at least aportion thereof magnified relative to the map projection, a surfacehaving at least a portion thereof compressed relative to the mapprojection, a surface having a subset of virtual objects provided in themap projection. The selection of the transform being based onpre-defined criteria (i.e. user preferences for providing improvedvisibility of certain virtual objects or focusing on a specific regionof the virtual objects).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of these and other embodiments of the presentinvention can be obtained with reference to the following drawings anddetailed description of the preferred embodiments, in which:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a data processing system for avisualization tool and FIG. 1B is a block diagram of further details;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the visualization tool and associatedcomponents according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the visualization tool having a transformmodule according to an alternate embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a representative screen shot of the visualization tool showingthe projection image displayed on a real-time image and relationshipstherebetween in accordance with an embodiment thereof;

FIGS. 5A-9C are representative views depicting alternate transformsapplied by the transform module of the visualization tool to theprojection image according to alternate embodiments;

FIG. 10 is a representative screen shot of the visualization toolshowing the projection image displayed on a real-time image using one ormore of a vector map, vectors, annotations and symbols to represent theprojected virtual image in accordance with one embodiment;

FIGS. 11-14 and 16 are representative views depicting alternatetransforms applied by the transform module to the projection imageaccording to alternate embodiments; and

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process for creating anddisplaying a map projection according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Data Processing System 100

Referring to FIG. 1A, a visualization data processing system 100includes a visualization tool 12 for retrieving and processing acollection of virtual image information 14 as input data elements to auser interface 202. The virtual image information 14 provides satelliteand/or aerial imagery as projection images 22 (also referred to as mapprojections or virtual images herein). The virtual image information 14further provides geographical information 24 associated with theprojection images 22. The geographical information 24 can include, forexample, location information associated with the projected images 22,names of locations within the projection images, or other characterizinginformation, physical characteristics of objects within the projectionimages 22. The geographical information 24 can include any informationthat may be used for example, in graphical information systems (GIS).The visualization tool 12 is further configured for processinguser/device events 109. The user/device events 109 comprise real-timeimages 34 that are viewed/captured by a device 101 (see FIG. 1B) as thelocation of the device 101 changes. The real-time images 34 may also bereferred to as images captured within the device's 101 viewing area. Theuser/device events 109 further comprise real-time event information 32that defines any temporal and spatial information related to thereal-time images 34 viewed or captured at a predefined instance. Forexample, the real-time event information 32 may provide informationabout the device's 101 current location, facing direction, distance toone or more pre-defined real-time objects, landmarks within and outsidethe device's 101 current viewing area, physical characteristics (i.e.dimensions) of objects within the viewing area, distances betweenobjects in the viewing area, distance between a user/device's currentpositioning to one or more objects in the real-time viewing area.

The event information 32 may further include information about locationson the real-time image where there is a lack of objects (i.e.determining an upper portion of the real-time image where there are nobuildings, trees, people or other objects). This determination of a lackof objects may be used to define a location (i.e. an upper portion ofthe real-time image) where the projections image may be overlaid withoutblocking any objects.

Associations 16

The virtual image information 14 can be combined with a respective setof associations 16 which define relationships of the projected images 22and real-time images 34 by the tool 12 to generate an interactive visualrepresentation 18 on the visual interface (VI) 202. The set ofassociations 16 may be predefined by a user (i.e. analyst) of the tool12 to define relationships between the virtual image information 14 andreal-time images 34 provided by user events 109. Alternatively, the setof associations 16 may be generated by the tool 12 based on projectiongeographical information 24 (i.e. location of virtual objects) andreal-time event information 32 (i.e. estimated location of real-timeobjects) related to the real-time images 34 captured. The associations16 may be generated by the tool 12 for example to link one or moreobjects in the device's 101 viewing area (the objects captured inreal-time images 34) to corresponding virtual objects within theprojection images 22. The associations 16 are displayed on the visualrepresentation 18 as markers connected between a virtual object in theprojection image 22 and a corresponding real-time object in thereal-time image 34. As will be described, the markers can alternativelybe colour coded or otherwise visually emphasized to distinguishassociations between real-time objects and virtual objects. As will bedescribed below, the associations 16 are made by correlating theestimated geographic location of each real-time object (provided by thereal-time event information 32) to the geographical location of eachvirtual object (provided by the projection geographical information 24).The definition of associations 16 may be user dependent, semi automated(i.e. defined by the tool 12 but modifiable by a user of the device 101or fully automated (i.e. fully defined by the tool 12).

Management of the virtual image information 14, tool 12, andassociations 16 are driven by updated user events 109 of a user (notshown) of the tool 12. The user events 109 comprise real-time images 34captured and updated as the location of the device 101 (FIG. 1B)changes. The user events 109 further comprise event information 32defining location and other GIS information related to each real-timeimage 34. Alternatively, the user events 109 may be updated byinteraction of a user (not shown) with the user interface 108 (see FIG.1B) during interaction with the visual representation 18. As will bedescribed, the visual representation 18 shows connectivity between theprojection images 22 and the real-time images 34.

Data Processing System 100

Referring to FIG. 1B, the data processing system 100 of a device 101includes the user interface device(s) 108 for interacting with the tool12, the user interface device(s) 108 being connected to a memory 102 viaa BUS 106. The device 101 comprises a computing device and may includefor example a laptop or desktop computer, a mobile phone, a PersonalDigital Assistant (PDA), virtual reality goggles, monocle, heads-updisplay systems, virtual reality device other types of computing devicesas will be envisaged by a person skilled in the art. The interfacedevice(s) 108 are coupled to a processor 104 via the BUS 106, tointeract with user events 109 to monitor or otherwise instruct theoperation of the tool 12 via an operating system 110. The user interfacedevice(s) 108 can include one or more user input devices such as but notlimited to a QWERTY keyboard, a keypad, a trackwheel, a stylus, a mouse,a microphone, a digital compass and an accelerometer. The visualinterface 202 is considered to be a user output device, such as but notlimited to a computer screen display, a mobile device display (such as acell phone screen), goggles having a screen display (such as a virtualreality goggles). If the screen is touch sensitive, then the display canalso be used as a user input device as controlled by the processor 104.Further, it is recognized that the data processing system 100 caninclude a computer readable storage medium 46 coupled to the processor104 for providing instructions to the processor 104 and/or the tool 12.The computer readable medium 46 can include hardware and/or softwaresuch as, by way of example only, magnetic disks, magnetic tape,optically readable medium such as CD/DVD ROMS, and memory cards. In eachcase, the computer readable medium 46 may take the form of a small disk,floppy diskette, cassette, hard disk drive, solid-state memory card, orRAM provided in the memory 102. It should be noted that the above listedexample computer readable mediums 46 can be used either alone or incombination. System 100 further comprises a network interface 47 complythe system 100 for communication with one or more public or privatenetworks searches a LAN and/or the Internet.

Referring again to FIG. 1B, the tool 12 interacts via link 116 with a VImanager 112 (also known as a visualization renderer) of the system 100for presenting the visual representation 18 on the visual interface 202.The tool 12 processes virtual image information 14, associations 16, anduser events 109 from data files or tables 122 of the memory 102. Asdescribed above, the associations 16 may either be user-defined, orprovided by the tool 12 (or a combination thereof). If the tool 12provides the associations 16, the associations 16 are determined basedon analyzing the location of real-time objects (as provided by eventinformation 32 for example by determining the distance between thereal-time objects and the device 101 and determining the location of thereal-time object by knowing the current location of the device 101. Thetool 12 then processes the information received from the tables 122 forsubsequent presentation on the visual representation 18. It isrecognized that the virtual image information 14, associations 16 andthe user events 109 could be stored in the same or separate tables 122,as desired. The tool 12 can receive requests for storing, retrieving,amending, or creating the virtual image information 14, associations 16via the tool 12 and/or directly via link 120 from the VI manager 112, asdriven by the user events 109 and/or independent operation of the tool12. Accordingly, the tool 12 and manager 112 coordinate the processingof data objects 14, association set 16 and user events 109 with respectto the content of the screen representation 18 displayed in the visualinterface 202.

As will be understood by a person skilled in the art, the visualizationtool 12 and the visual interface 202 may exist on separate devices (notshown) such that the process of creating the map projection is performedon a first device and the second device is used to render the mapprojection and the real-time image on the display.

The task related instructions can comprise code and/or machine readableinstructions for implementing predetermined functions/operationsincluding those of an operating system, tool 12, or other informationprocessing system, for example, in response to command or input providedby a user of the system 100. The processor 104 (also referred to asmodule(s) for specific components of the tool 12) as used herein is aconfigured device and/or set of machine-readable instructions forperforming operations as described by example above.

As used herein, the processor/modules in general may comprise any one orcombination of, hardware, firmware, and/or software. Theprocessor/modules acts upon information by manipulating, analyzing,modifying, converting or transmitting information for use by anexecutable procedure or an information device, and/or by routing theinformation with respect to an output device. The processor/modules mayuse or comprise the capabilities of a controller or microprocessor, forexample. Accordingly, any of the functionality provided by the systemsand process of the accompanying figures may be implemented in hardware,software or a combination of both. Accordingly, the use of aprocessor/modules as a device and/or as a set of machine readableinstructions is hereafter referred to generically as a processor/modulefor sake of simplicity.

It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the memory 102storage described herein is the place where data is held in anelectromagnetic or optical form for access by a computer processor. Inone embodiment, storage means the devices and data connected to thecomputer through input/output operations such as hard disk and tapesystems and other forms of storage not including computer memory andother in-computer storage. In a second embodiment, in a more formalusage, storage is divided into: (1) primary storage, which holds data inmemory (sometimes called random access memory or RAM) and other“built-in” devices such as the processor's L1 cache, and (2) secondarystorage, which holds data on hard disks, tapes, and other devicesrequiring input/output operations. Primary storage can be much faster toaccess than secondary storage because of the proximity of the storage tothe processor or because of the nature of the storage devices. On theother hand, secondary storage can hold much more data than primarystorage. In addition to RAM, primary storage includes read-only memory(ROM) and L1 and L2 cache memory. In addition to hard disks, secondarystorage includes a range of device types and technologies, includingdiskettes, Zip drives, redundant array of independent disks (RAID)systems, and holographic storage. Devices that hold storage arecollectively known as storage media.

A database is a further embodiment of memory 102 as a collection ofinformation that is organized so that it can easily be accessed,managed, and updated. In one view, databases can be classified accordingto types of content: bibliographic, full-text, numeric, and images. Incomputing, databases are sometimes classified according to theirorganizational approach. As well, a relational database is a tabulardatabase in which data is defined so that it can be reorganized andaccessed in a number of different ways. A distributed database is onethat can be dispersed or replicated among different points in a network.An object-oriented programming database is one that is congruent withthe data defined in object classes and subclasses.

Computer databases typically contain aggregations of data records orfiles, such as sales transactions, product catalogs and inventories, andcustomer profiles. Typically, a database manager provides users thecapabilities of controlling read/write access, specifying reportgeneration, and analyzing usage. Databases and database managers areprevalent in large mainframe systems, but are also present in smallerdistributed workstation and mid-range systems such as the AS/400 and onpersonal computers. SQL (Structured Query Language) is a standardlanguage for making interactive queries from and updating a databasesuch as IBM's DB2, Microsoft's Access, and database products fromOracle, Sybase, and Computer Associates.

Memory is a further embodiment of memory 102 storage as the electronicholding place for instructions and data that the computer'smicroprocessor can reach quickly. When the computer is in normaloperation, its memory usually contains the main parts of the operatingsystem and some or all of the application programs and related data thatare being used. Memory is often used as a shorter synonym for randomaccess memory (RAM). This kind of memory is located on one or moremicrochips that are physically close to the microprocessor in thecomputer.

Visualization Tool 12

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 15, shown is one embodiment of thevisualization tool 12. In the present embodiment, the visualization tool12 comprises an extraction module 302, an associations module 304, and aleader module 306. The visualization renderer 112 displays a real-timeimage 34 based on device 101 current geographical location, facingdirection and viewing angle of the device 101 (step 1502). Theextraction module 302 is configured for extracting projection images 22based on user/device events 109 and real-time images 34 viewed by thedevice 101 (step 1504). As described herein, the projection images 22provides a reflected view of objects seen in the real-time plane(real-time images 34). The projection images 22 may refer to satelliteand/or aerial imagery and/or annotated vector graphics which provide areflected view of objects in the real-time plane. The reflected view ofobjects provided by projection images 22 is taken from an elevatedposition about the device's 101 current geographical location and inaccordance with the direction angle of the viewing area (as provided byevent information 32). In one example, the reflected view 22 is a mirrorimage of the real-time objects in the real-time image 22 revealing ahidden view/angle of objects seen in the viewing area.

Thus, the user/device events 109 provide event information 32 whichdefines the geographical coordinates of the device 101 and other GISinformation related to the device's 101 viewing area. The eventinformation 32 can provide information defining the device 101 currentlocation and facing direction as it captures real-time images 34 withinits viewing area. Thus, the event information 32 can provide forexample, the current location of the device 101, the direction thedevice 101 is facing, the estimated elevation of the device 101 relativeto the surrounding ground surface, the estimated distance of the device101 from surrounding objects and/or pre-defined landmarks associatedwith the real-time images 34. Accordingly, based on the device 101current geographical location and viewing area (i.e. the facingdirection of the device 101) provided by event information 32, theextracting module 302 retrieves the corresponding projection images 22(also referred to as map projections) from the data store 122. Theprojection images 22 depict an elevated view of a ground surface aboutthe device 101 current geographical location and in accordance with thedevice 101 viewing area (i.e. direction the device 101 is facing). Inthis way, the projection images 22 can comprise aerial and/or satelliteimagery and/or annotated vector graphics which provide a reflected topview of the device's 101 viewing area in accordance with the device'scurrent geographical co-ordinates. As will be described, in oneembodiment, the projection images 22 allow a user of the device 101 toreveal portions of the real-time objects hidden (i.e. a top surface ofthe real-time objects not seen by the user) from the device 101 viewingarea. The visualization renderer 112 is configured to display theprojection image 22 on the display 18 and overlaid in an upper portionof the real-time image 34 (step 1506).

Once the projection images 22 are extracted, the associations module 304is configured to associate real-time objects provided in real-timeimages 34 to virtual objects (also referred to as reflected objects) inprojection images 22 (step 1508). The event information 32 providesestimated coordinates of one or more pre-defined real-time objectswithin the real-time image 34. The estimated coordinates of eachreal-time object may be calculated for example, using the device 101current location and estimated distance to each real-time object(provided by event information 32). The projection geographicalinformation 24 contains geographical coordinates of one or more virtualobjects provided in projection images 22. Accordingly, the leader module306 is configured to communicate with the visualization renderer 112 todisplay and overlay one or more markers for showing a relationshipbetween virtual objects in the projection images 22 and real-timeobjects in real-time images 34. Each marker is overlaid on the displayand configured to connect between a virtual object in the projectionimage 22 and a corresponding real-time object in real-time images 34(step 1508). The relationships between the objects being defined by theassociations module 304. The leader module 306 may further be configuredto provide textual information characterizing the relationship betweenthe projected images 22 and real-time images 34. The textual informationmay include for example identifiers showing current/destinationlocations, names of buildings, names of landmarks within the viewingarea, directional information, etc. An example of textual information isshown in FIG. 4 where the identifier “My Location” is shown overlaid onthe projected image 22 (shown as step 1510).

The leader module 306 is thus configured to render markers onto thescene (i.e. visualization representation 18), in communication withvisualization renderer 112 connecting a physical object (i.e. an objectin the real-time image 34) to its virtual representation (i.e. a virtualobject in the projection image 22). The markers are overlaid such thatthey are placed on top of the real-time image 34 and the projectionimage 22 and extending therebetween. In one embodiment, the leadermodule 306 is provided information about the dimension and physicalcharacteristics of one or more objects in the real-time image 34.Accordingly, in the present embodiment the leader module 306 uses thedimension information to determine the placement of the marker. Forexample, the marker may be drawn such that it extends from the virtualobject to the top surface of the corresponding real-time object (i.e.the marker is drawn to a certain predefined height on the real-timeimage 34).

The visualization renderer 112 is further configured to visualize anddisplay the real-time image 34, the projection image 22 and the one ormore markers on the display 18. According to one embodiment, thevisualization renderer 112 is configured to display the real-time image34 on the display 18. The visualization renderer 112 is furtherconfigured to superimpose the projection image 22 in an upper portion ofthe real-time image 34. The visualization renderer 112 may further beconfigured to determine an area on the real-time image 34 that is lessfilled or less crowded with real-time objects for overlaying theprojected image 22 therein.

For example, referring to FIG. 4, the projection image 22 is overlaid inan upper portion of the real-time image 34 where there are lessreal-time objects (i.e. the projection image 22 is displayed on top ofthe sky portion of the real-time image 34 on the display 18.

The visualization renderer 112 is further configured to communicate withthe leader module 306 and overlay the markers connecting objects withinthe displayed real-time image 34 to virtual objects in the displayedprojected image 22.

Referring again to FIG. 4 there is illustrated an example screen shot ofthe visual representation 18. As seen in FIG. 4, the real-time image 34depicts the device 101 viewing area taken from a specific geographicallocation and is displayed on the visual representation 18. The mapprojection 22 depicts an elevated view of a ground surface about thedevice's current geographical location and in accordance with thedevice's 101 viewing area (i.e. which direction and which angle thedevice is facing). This map projection 22 is overlaid on the real-timeimage 34 in an upper portion 410 thereof. As can be seen the mapprojection is overlaid in a manner to minimize blocking objects (i.e.412) in the lower portion 414. As can be seen in FIG. 4, there are oneor more markers 404 connecting virtual objects (i.e. 406) with real-timeobjects (i.e. 408). There is also a textual marker 402 showing theuser's current location. In one embodiment, the one or more markers maybe shown by colour coding the virtual object in the projected image 22to the real-time object in image 34. For example, a specific building orlandmark may have the same colour in the projection image 22 and thereal-time image 34 as a way of showing their relationship.

Projection Images 22

It is noted that the projection images 22 referred to herein, mayinclude images such as aerial images and/or satellite images and/orannotated vector graphics depicting a top view of the ground surfaceabout the device 101 geographical location. The projection images 22 mayalso contain other symbolic representations of map projections such asvectors, objects, user-defined/pre-defined/generated by tool 12annotations, location specific annotation and images as may beunderstood by a person skilled in the art. The projection images 22 mayalso be transparent, semi-transparent or opaque and may be predefined bya user of the visualization tool 12. FIG. 10 illustrates an examplescreen shot of the visual representation 18 where the projection images22 uses map symbols, vectors and annotations to indicate terrains,objects, different elevations and surfaces within the real-time image34. In FIG. 10, one or more markers 1000 provided by the leader module306 are used to correlate or associate objects within the real-timeimage 34 to the projection or virtual image 22. Referring to FIG. 10,the real-time image 34 is displayed underneath the projection image 22.Further, the projection image 22 is displayed in an upper portion 1004of visual representation 18 (and overlaid on an upper portion of thereal-time image 34). In the present example, the projection image 22 issemi-transparent such that the real-time image 34 is still visible.

According to the present embodiment, as the user of the device 101 movesthe device 101 (i.e. the viewing screen) location or positioning, thevisualization tool 12 determines that the location or viewing angle ofthe device 101 has been changed (i.e. via real-time event information32). Thus, the visualization tool 12 extracts an updated projectionimage 22 based on the updated coordinates of the device 101 anddetermines updated associations 16. The visualization tool 12 furthercommunicates with visualization renderer 112 to display an updatedreal-time image 34, an updated projection image 22 and one or moremarkers showing the relationships therebetween on the display 18. Thus,the display 18 is updated in real-time to provide the user of the device101 with a live map.

According to one embodiment, the visual interface 202 allows a user toprovide external data sources (via user interface 108) to includenon-geographical features such as colleagues, enemies, events or otherphysical entities on the display 18. In one embodiment, the userinterface 108 is configured to allow communication with the tool 12 fora user to add objects and to manipulate the virtual projection image 22.In a further embodiment, the user interface 108 is further configured tointeract with a user to allow placement and modification of at least oneof the one or more markers, annotations, vectors, and symbols. Asdescribed herein each of the one or more markers, annotations, vectorsand symbols may be configured for defining a relationship between themap projection and the real-time image such as to still allow visibilityof the real-time image and the map projection.

Transform Module 308

Referring to FIG. 3, shown is a block diagram illustrating an embodimentof the visualization tool 12. In the present embodiment, thevisualization tool 12 further comprises a transform module 308. Thetransform module 308 is configured for receiving one or more projectionimages 22 and for applying a transform thereto to obtain a transformedmap projection image 30. The transform module 308 is configured totransform the projection image 22 such as to allow clearer visibilityand usability of the projection image 22 for a user. The transformapplied may depend upon the use of the image 22. For example, in somecases it may be desirable to have better viewing of objects locatedcloser to the user while in other cases it may be more important to haveemphasis on objects located farther from the user.

Once a transform is applied to the projection image 22 to obtain atransform image, the origin of the marker (i.e. 404) is computed byapplying the surface deformation transform to the geo-coordinates of theobject's physical location (geographical location of device 101 providedby event information 32). In one aspect, the transformed point isextruded downward with a vector annotation (i.e. as seen in FIG. 4),appearing to stop at the plane of the physical surface (i.e. extendingfrom the projection image 22 to the real-time image 34). This stoppingpoint on the physical surface is a perspective function of the distancefrom the device 101 to the physical location of the real-time object. Ifthe 3D geometry of the physical real-time object is known, this can beused to extend the marker line from the sky to the top of the object,instead of extending all the way down to the surface plane of thereal-time image 34.

Reflected Map Projection Having a Flat Surface

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B shown are examples of a projection image 22where no transform is applied to the projection image 22. According tothe present embodiment, the surface of the projection image 22 (alsoreferred to as a reflected map surface in the figures) is a flat, planarsurface such that the angle between a real-time object 502 and a virtualobject 504 located above the real-time object is 90 degrees. It is notedthat the term planar is also used to described a flat surface as will beunderstood by a person skilled in the art. In this case, the virtualobject 504 is positioned directly above the real-time object 502 (i.e. aone-to-one vertical match). The present embodiment is useful for viewinga reflection of an object (i.e. a virtual object) that is located nearthe observer (i.e. user of the device 101). Correspondingly, in thiscase, it can be difficult to view virtual objects in the projectionimage 22 that are far from the device 101 location.

It is further noted that the flat surface of the projection image 22refers to the surface along which the projection image is reflected orthe plane where the projection image 22 lies.

Reflected Map Projection Having a Flat, Scaled, Tilted and ShiftedSurface

As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in an alternate embodiment, thetransform module 308 applies a slope to the plane of the projectionimage 22 to provide a desired viewing angle. In this way, a user of thedevice 101 standing a predefined location 602 can view a virtual object604 at a pre-defined angle (i.e. the viewing angle being less than 90degrees) such as to aid in viewing virtual objects that are positioneddirectly above where a user of the device 101 is standing on the groundsurface. In this case, the angle of the surface of the map projection 22allows easier reading of distant objects in the virtual plane (i.e. seenas virtual objects in the projected image 22). As illustrated in FIG.6B, the projected image 22 may also be shifted a pre-defined distance608 relative to the device 101 current location on the ground surface606. Further, the virtual objects displayed in the projection image 22may be magnified relative to real-time objects in the real-time image34.

Reflected Map Projection Having a Curved Surface 700

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, in one embodiment, the transform module308 applies a curve or parabolic transform to the projection image 22such that the plane or base of projection image 22 is curved in at leastone portion. This curve transform allows a user of the tool 12 to viewlocations near the device 101 with more clarity as it appears to stretchout at least a first portion 702 of the projected image 22 which islocated close to the device 101 (i.e. location of device 101 on groundshown as 706). In the present embodiment, a second portion 706 of theprojected image 22 remains flat. The second portion 706 being locatedfarthest from the geographical location of the device 706. The height ofthe projection surface varies as function of the distance to theobserver.

Reflected Map Projection Having a Spherical Surface 800

Referring to FIG. 8, in one embodiment, the transform module 308 appliesa spherical transform to the projection image 22. In the presentembodiment, a first portion of the projected image 802 located close tothe position of the device 101 (i.e. 806) is stretched out andmagnified, while a second portion of the projected image 804 locatedaway from the device 101 is compressed. In this manner, virtual objectslocated near a user of the device 101 are magnified for emphasis andclarity while virtual objects located away from the user are compressed.Further the reflection of objects near the observer is located at anangle in the map projection 22 plane.

Reflected Map Projection Projected Along a Multi-Axis Curve 900

Referring to FIGS. 9A-9C, according to one embodiment, the transformmodule 308 applies a multi-axis curve or surface of revolution transformto the projected image 22. In the present embodiment, increased emphasisis placed on virtual objects located closest to the device's presentlocation. That is, as shown in FIG. 9B, the virtual objects 904 locatedclosest to the device's 101 geographical location 902 are magnified inthe visual representation 18 for better viewing.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the position of the observer (user of the device101) on the real-time image 34 is shown at element 901. Thecorresponding reflected image of the observer in the projection image 22is seen as above the observer and along the axis of the surface ofrevolution curve as element 903.

FIG. 9C provides exemplary functions for defining the surface ofrevolution curve. As can be seen the surface of revolution curve is amulti-axis curve that is manipulated in the X, Y and Z axes. Theequations in FIG. 9C define how the surface of the projection image 22is deformed. For example, thinking of the surface as a mesh, each pointon the mesh (i.e. each virtual object having coordinates on theprojection image 22) is translated or transformed from an initialposition (X,Y,Z) to its new position (X′, Y′, Z′). The original pointsprior to transformation are shown as “OP” while the transformed pointsare shown as “DP”. Relative to a user of the device 101 viewpoint, thesurface appears to curve upwards in the (X,Z) plane and also outwardlike a ripple effect in the (X,Y) plane.

Reflected Map Projection Having a Flat, Scale Shifted Surface 1100

Referring to FIG. 11, according to one embodiment, the transform module308 applies scaling and shifting to the flat surface of the projectedimage 22 to obtain a transformed image that is shifted, and scaledrelative to the original projected image 22. In this case, thetransformed image provides magnification of a certain portion of theviewing area of the user (i.e. the transformed image is a reflection ofa certain portion of the real-time image such the virtual objects appearmagnified relative to their corresponding real-time objects). Further,the shifting allows the user to view the projected image 22 at a moredesirable angle. In this case, the angle between the user of the device1102 and the reflection of the location of the user in the transformedprojection image 1100 is reduced to less than 45 degrees. According tothe present embodiment, the orientation and positioning of the mapprojection image 22 is linked to the orientation of the user so that theprojection image 22 is updated as the user changes orientation.

Reflected Map Projection with Variable Width Scaling Transform 1200

Referring to FIG. 12, according to one embodiment, the transform module308 applies a variable width scaling to the projected image 22. In thiscase, the projected image 22 is scaled along the x and y axes based onthe distance to the user/device 101 location 1202. That is objectslocated closer to the device 101 (i.e. shown as area 1204) are magnifiedwhile objects located farther from the device 101 (i.e. shown as area1206) are compressed. This type of transform provides emphasis on localareas near the user of the device 101 and keeps the observer position1208 on the image projection 22 in front of the user location to allowthe user of the device improved readability of the image projection 22.

Reflected Map Projection with Variable Distance Emphasis 1300

Referring to FIG. 13, according to one embodiment, the transform module308 applies a variable distance emphasis to the projection image 22.That is, pre-defined distances and regions are magnified for betterreadability of beyond the horizon geography. That is, by magnifyingvirtual objects at pre-defined distances (i.e. magnifying virtualobjects in the projected image 22), the real-time objects located beyondthe horizon are brought into view on the projection image 22.

Reflected Map Projection Providing Focus on a Pre-defined Area of theReal-Time Image 1400

Referring to FIG. 14, according to one embodiment, the transform module308 provides a reflected map where the reflection is based on part ofthe real-time image 34. That is, the projection image 22 provides areflection of a certain pre-defined area of the real-time image 34. Inthis way, the projection image 22 provides partial coverage of thereal-time image 34, thereby reducing clutter in the map projection image22 and reducing the burden on the CPU of the device 101.

Reflected Map Projection as an Adaptive Function 1600

Referring to FIG. 16, according to one embodiment, the transform module308 applies a quadratic function transform to the projection image 22.The quadratic function results in a transformed projection image 22having of one or more curved portions such as a parabola. The quadraticfunction transform in FIG. 16 may be adaptive depending upon theobserver (i.e. user of the device 101) viewing angle. That is, as thedevice 101 viewing area (i.e. dependent upon the viewing angle anddirection facing) of the device changes, the quadratic function and thusthe shape of the parabola is updated to allow clearer visibility andusability of the projection image 22.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been describedherein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvariations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of theinvention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for creating and displaying a map projection of a device's real-time viewing area to depict virtual objects, the virtual objects providing a reflected view of real-time objects displayed within the device's viewing area, the method comprising: displaying a real-time image of the device's viewing area taken from a current geographical location on a display screen of the device; determining the map projection showing the reflected view as an elevated view of a ground surface about the current geographical location and in accordance with the device's viewing area; applying a curved surface transform to the map projection to generate a transformed map projection, wherein a curvature of the curved surface transform depends on a location of a virtual object in the map projection; and, superimposing the transformed map projection on an upper portion of the real-time image on the display screen.
 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the curved surface transform includes at least one portion with a convex shape for magnifying virtual objects within the map projection that are located close to the device and compressing virtual objects located away from the device.
 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transformed map projection is positioned directly above the real-time image to provide a vertical correspondence between each virtual object and corresponding real-time object.
 4. A method according to claim 3, further comprising further transforming the map projection by shifting the map projection and scaling thereof relative to the real-time image to provide the transformed map projection, the transformed map projection configured to provide magnification of at least a portion of the real-time image.
 5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising applying a slope to the transformed map projection to obtain a tilted transformed map projection, the tilted transformed map projection configured to depict the virtual objects at an angle relative to the corresponding real-time objects.
 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the curved surface transform includes a multiple axis curve configured to provide magnification of at least a portion of the real-time image located closest to the device's current geographical location.
 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the curvature of the curved surface transform further depends on a change in a viewing angle of the device.
 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transformed map projection is further generated by scaling the map projection along two separate axes in dependence upon a distance of the virtual object in the map projection to the current geographical location of the device.
 9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transformed map projection is further generated by magnifying virtual objects corresponding to real-time objects located at a pre-defined distance from the device's current geographical location.
 10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transformed map projection displays virtual objects corresponding to a subset of real-time objects within the device's viewing area to provide a partial reflection of the real-time image.
 11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transformed map projection is a vector image providing a symbolic reflection of real-time objects as corresponding virtual objects.
 12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transformed map projection is one of semi-transparent or transparent to allow visibility of the upper portion of the real-time image.
 13. A method according to claim 1, further comprising determining the upper portion of the real-time image for overlaying the transformed map projection thereon, wherein the determining the upper portion comprises determining a portion of the image having a least number of real-time objects.
 14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the map projection is based upon satellite and/or aerial imagery information.
 15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the real-time image is a real-world image and wherein the real-time objects are real-world objects.
 16. A method according to claim 1, further comprising defining one or more markers configured to show a relationship between the transformed map projection and the real-time image, each marker overlaid on the display and configured to connect between the virtual object in the map projection and the corresponding real-time object on the real-time image.
 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the markers are configured to show a visual relationship linking the displayed transformed map projection and the real-time image such that the displayed transformed map projection and markers are configured for assisting in visual navigation.
 18. A method according to claim 16, wherein the real-time image and at least one of the transformed map projection and the markers are updated in response to user events related to the device comprising at least one of a change of location, positioning, and angle of the device's viewing screen.
 19. A method according to claim 16, further comprising: providing a user interface configured to interact with a user of the device for allowing one or more of selecting virtual objects, zooming, panning, drilling down on the transformed map projection, changing shape of the transformed map projection surface, adjusting transparency of the transformed map projection, and adjusting height of the transformed map projection surface.
 20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the user interface is further configured to interact with a user to allow placement and modification of at least one of the one or more markers, annotations, vectors, and symbols each configured for defining a relationship between the transformed map projection and the real-time image.
 21. A method according to claim 16, wherein the one or more markers are defined by colour coding a selected one of the virtual objects to correspond to a colour of a corresponding one of the real-time objects.
 22. A method according to claim 16, further comprising receiving physical characteristic information of at least one of the real-time objects, wherein each marker extends between the virtual object and a top surface of the corresponding real-time object in accordance with the physical characteristic information of the corresponding real-time object.
 23. A system for creating and displaying a map projection of a device's real-time viewing area to depict virtual objects, the virtual objects providing a reflected view of real-time objects displayed within the device's viewing area, the system comprising: a visualization renderer for displaying an image of the device's viewing area taken from a current geographical location on a display screen of the device; an extraction module for retrieving the map projection for showing the reflected view as an elevated view of a ground surface about the current geographical location and in accordance with the device's viewing area; a transform module coupled to the extractions module, the transform module configured to apply a curved surface transform to the map projection to generate a transformed map projection, wherein a curvature of the curved surface transform depends on a location of a virtual object in the map projection; and the visualization renderer configured to superimpose the transformed map projection on an upper portion of the real-time image on the display screen.
 24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the curved surface transform includes at least one portion with a convex shape for magnifying virtual objects within the map projection that are located close to the device and compressing virtual objects located away from the device.
 25. The system according to claim 23, wherein the transform module is further configured to apply a slope to the transformed map projection to obtain a tilted transformed map projection, the tilted transformed map projection configured to depict the virtual objects at an angle relative to the corresponding objects.
 26. The system according to claim 23, wherein the curved surface transform includes a multiple axis curve to provide magnification of at least a portion of the real-time image located closest from the device's current geographical location.
 27. The system according to claim 23, further comprising an associations module coupled to the extraction module and to the transform module for defining one or more markers configured to show a relationship between the transformed map projection and the real-time image.
 28. The system according to claim 27, further comprising a leader module coupled to the associations module and the transform module for connecting each marker between the virtual object in the transformed map projection and the corresponding real-time object on the real-time image, the leader module communicating with the visualization renderer for overlaying each marker on the display screen on top of the real-time image and the transformed map projection.
 29. The system according to claim 23, wherein the real-time image is a real-world image and wherein the real-time objects are real-world objects. 